Mayor Annise Parker speaks during the unveiling of a pair of zero energy homes by HOUZE in Independence Heights Thursday, Nov. 29, 2012, in Houston. The initial rollout of HOUZE homes, using energy-wise next generation building systems, materials and technologies, was developed through a partnership with the City of Houston. The homes are designed to be so energy efficient that they can put energy back into the grid. ( Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle ) (Houston Chronicle) less

Mayor Annise Parker speaks during the unveiling of a pair of zero energy homes by HOUZE in Independence Heights Thursday, Nov. 29, 2012, in Houston. The initial rollout of HOUZE homes, using energy-wise next ... more

Mayor Annise Parker speaks during the unveiling of a pair of zero... Photo-3817476.53172 - Beaumont Enterprise

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David Goswick, left, CEO of HOUZE, walks with Mayor Annise Parker to the front door of one of the new zero energy homes built by HOUZE in Independence Heights Thursday, Nov. 29, 2012, in Houston. The initial rollout of HOUZE homes, using energy-wise next generation building systems, materials and technologies, was developed through a partnership with the City of Houston. The homes are designed to be so energy efficient that they can put energy back into the grid. ( Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle ) (Houston Chronicle) less

David Goswick, left, CEO of HOUZE, walks with Mayor Annise Parker to the front door of one of the new zero energy homes built by HOUZE in Independence Heights Thursday, Nov. 29, 2012, in Houston. The initial ... more

Mayor Annise Parker, left, listens as David Goswick, left, CEO of HOUZE, explains the power controls of a new zero energy home built in Independence Heights Thursday, Nov. 29, 2012, in Houston. The initial rollout of HOUZE homes, using energy-wise next generation building systems, materials and technologies, was developed through a partnership with the City of Houston. The homes are designed to be so energy efficient that they can put energy back into the grid. ( Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle ) (Houston Chronicle) less

Mayor Annise Parker, left, listens as David Goswick, left, CEO of HOUZE, explains the power controls of a new zero energy home built in Independence Heights Thursday, Nov. 29, 2012, in Houston. The initial ... more

Mayor Annise Parker, left, walks down the sidewalk of a new zero energy home in Independence Heights Thursday, Nov. 29, 2012, in Houston. The initial rollout of HOUZE homes, using energy-wise next generation building systems, materials and technologies, was developed through a partnership with the City of Houston. ( Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle ) (Houston Chronicle) less

Mayor Annise Parker, left, walks down the sidewalk of a new zero energy home in Independence Heights Thursday, Nov. 29, 2012, in Houston. The initial rollout of HOUZE homes, using energy-wise next generation ... more

Mayor Annise Parker, left, walks down the sidewalk of a new zero... Photo-3817479.53172 - Beaumont Enterprise

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Taboola Gallery Frame Item-85307.53172 - Beaumont Enterprise

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Visitors tour one of two new zero energy homes by HOUZE in Independence Heights Thursday, Nov. 29, 2012, in Houston. The initial rollout of HOUZE homes, using energy-wise next generation building systems, materials and technologies, was developed through a partnership with the City of Houston. ( Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle ) (Houston Chronicle) less

Visitors tour one of two new zero energy homes by HOUZE in Independence Heights Thursday, Nov. 29, 2012, in Houston. The initial rollout of HOUZE homes, using energy-wise next generation building systems, ... more

Visitors tour one of two new zero energy homes by HOUZE in... Photo-3817481.53172 - Beaumont Enterprise

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Visitors tour one of two new zero energy homes by HOUZE in Independence Heights Thursday, Nov. 29, 2012, in Houston. The initial rollout of HOUZE homes, using energy-wise next generation building systems, materials and technologies, was developed through a partnership with the City of Houston. ( Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle ) (Houston Chronicle) less

Visitors tour one of two new zero energy homes by HOUZE in Independence Heights Thursday, Nov. 29, 2012, in Houston. The initial rollout of HOUZE homes, using energy-wise next generation building systems, ... more

Visitors tour one of two new zero energy homes by HOUZE in... Photo-3817482.53172 - Beaumont Enterprise

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Mayor Annise Parker, right, talks to Knaja Simone during the unveiling of a pair of zero energy homes by HOUZE in Independence Heights Thursday, Nov. 29, 2012, in Houston. The initial rollout of HOUZE homes, using energy-wise next generation building systems, materials and technologies, was developed through a partnership with the City of Houston. ( Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle ) (Houston Chronicle) less

Mayor Annise Parker, right, talks to Knaja Simone during the unveiling of a pair of zero energy homes by HOUZE in Independence Heights Thursday, Nov. 29, 2012, in Houston. The initial rollout of HOUZE homes, ... more

Daisy Snow, left, Kelvin Williams and Cecil Snow, Sr., talk outside one of the two new zero energy homes by HOUZE built in Independence Heights Thursday, Nov. 29, 2012, in Houston. The initial rollout of HOUZE homes, using energy-wise next generation building systems, materials and technologies, was developed through a partnership with the City of Houston. ( Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle ) (Houston Chronicle) less

Daisy Snow, left, Kelvin Williams and Cecil Snow, Sr., talk outside one of the two new zero energy homes by HOUZE built in Independence Heights Thursday, Nov. 29, 2012, in Houston. The initial rollout of HOUZE ... more

People stand with their backs to an abandoned house as they watch a news conference to unveil of a pair of zero energy homes by HOUZE in Independence Heights Thursday, Nov. 29, 2012, in Houston. The initial rollout of HOUZE homes, using energy-wise next generation building systems, materials and technologies, was developed through a partnership with the City of Houston. ( Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle ) (Houston Chronicle) less

People stand with their backs to an abandoned house as they watch a news conference to unveil of a pair of zero energy homes by HOUZE in Independence Heights Thursday, Nov. 29, 2012, in Houston. The initial ... more

People stand with their backs to an abandoned house as they watch a... Photo-3817485.53172 - Beaumont Enterprise

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Cecil Snow, Sr., walks with his granddaughter, Knaja Simone, into a newly-built zero energy home by HOUZE in Independence Heights Thursday, Nov. 29, 2012, in Houston. The initial rollout of HOUZE homes, using energy-wise next generation building systems, materials and technologies, was developed through a partnership with the City of Houston. ( Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle ) (Houston Chronicle) less

Cecil Snow, Sr., walks with his granddaughter, Knaja Simone, into a newly-built zero energy home by HOUZE in Independence Heights Thursday, Nov. 29, 2012, in Houston. The initial rollout of HOUZE homes, using ... more